Tale of the Tape:

Preview:

After nearly a year of hype, two of the biggest names in their respective fight disciplines — Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor — will square off in a 12-round boxing match at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (near Las Vegas) this Saturday night.

Fight fans, however, may not get their money’s worth: It’s a boxing match and only one of the combatants is a boxer. It won't be impossible for McGregor to defeat Mayweather, but he’ll have to do in his first match in this discipline what no experienced boxer ever did: beat Mayweather, who retired in 2015 with an unbeaten record of 49-0.

How McGregor Can Win:

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• Start Fast and Furious — Regardless of his training regimen for this fight, McGregor isn’t conditioned to fight a 12-round boxing match. His best shot is using his reach and his ferociousness to overwhelm Mayweather and get him on the defensive. Even if McGregor doesn’t register an early knock out, he could force Mayweather into later mistakes.

• Get Inside Mayweather’s Head — Mayweather is a smart, tactical fighter. He’s only been knocked down once (by Carlos Hernandez in 2001) and rarely has been hurt or in trouble during any fight. However, the boxer could be a bit rusty after his two-year layoff and his 40th birthday. McGregor’s mouth has to be a weapon that helps him capitalize on Mayweather’s trademark confidence. If doubt sets in, McGregor must pounce.

• Skirt the Rules — This is a boxing match; McGregor can’t kick and forearm shiver his way to victory. However, he needs to do everything he can within the rules to muscle and bait Mayweather off his flawless technique. An errant punch or head-butt here and there will be all the better for the underdog.

How Mayweather Can Win:

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• Stay Focused — Last year, ESPN ranked Mayweather the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of the last 25 years. While he’s sure to show some rust, he needs to rely on his ring intellect as McGregor charges. Mayweather wins matches by fighting his fight, not his opponent’s.

• Box, Don’t Fight — McGregor’s best chance is for this match to turn into a brawl. Mayweather can’t allow himself to be goaded into that type of exchange. Jabs, straight right hands, and constant, elusive movement should rule the day, not toe-to-toe haymakers. McGregor has never been knocked out in his career and his chin likely won’t be any softer on Saturday.

• Make McGregor Go the Distance — Mayweather is the only boxer in this fight. The longer the match goes on, the larger his advantage becomes. All three of McGregor’s professional defeats have come via submission, so there is a point at which he may give up physically, even if he’s still standing. Mayweather has to get him there, beating him all the way.